Hire Systems engineers pre-screened for technical and cultural fit

If any system or project is to succeed, it needs to have functioning parts and the right people to work on it. System engineers ensure these parts and people work together effectively, making them invaluable to many industries and businesses. Anyone seeking assistance managing a complex system or project should hire systems engineers.

However, finding the right engineer can be challenging. These professionals come from a highly specialized field and require specific technical and interpersonal skills. This limits the talent pool and may drain recruitment efforts, time, and resources.

This guide will share insight into what systems engineering is, how to write a job description to hire systems engineers, how much you can expect to pay them, and how Revelo can help you with the recruitment process.

What Is Systems Engineering?

Systems engineering involves managing, integrating, and optimizing complex systems and projects, including hardware, software, networks, processes, or people. It refers to creating, designing, building, and managing intricate systems with a clear focus on optimizing them for performance and cost efficiency. System engineering also involves overseeing the entire system, from conception through development and implementation.

You may need systems engineering when:

• Building a new system or subsystem
• Testing a prototype for evaluation
• Developing automation and control systems
• Designing networks

In short, any project that requires a deep understanding of interactions between different disciplines and components could benefit from the expertise of systems engineering.

What Does a Systems Engineer Do?

A systems engineer's day-to-day activities and responsibilities can vary depending on the project and company. However, their primary goal is to ensure that a complex system's parts are connected and working together well.

Here are some of the tasks and objectives that a systems engineer might have to fulfill on any given day:

• Develop designs and plans for complex systems, subsystems, or components
• Work with other engineers to ensure they meet design specifications
• Conduct tests and inspections to ensure the accuracy and functionality of systems
• Troubleshoot system issues, diagnose errors, and resolve them
• Create technical documentation and user manuals for systems
• Analyze the cost and performance of existing or proposed systems
• Optimize existing systems for increased efficiency and cost savings
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of systems
• Guide teams and manage resources to ensure successful system implementation
• Keep up with the latest technologies and trends in systems engineering

Systems Engineer Developer Salary

According to Glassdoor, a mid-level systems engineer with four to six years of experience in the U.S. earns an annual average salary of $123,964. However, this may vary depending on the company's location, project, and industry.

While systems engineers in Latin American countries are equally skilled, the lower cost of living means they’re usually paid 30%-50% less than their US counterparts, with salaries varying based on location and experience. Revelo provides a cost-effective solution, offering highly qualified, pre-vetted Latin American developers.

How to Write a Job Description for System Engineers

Now that you know what systems engineers do and how much they earn, it's time to compose a job description to attract the right talent. Before writing anything, determine if you need a junior, mid-level, or senior-level engineer, which can depend on several factors, including project complexity, team size, and overall organizational structure. 

Generally, a junior systems engineer has limited experience, and their primary role is to assist the team in daily operations. Alternatively, a senior systems engineer is highly experienced and will typically be responsible for creating complex systems and leading teams. Once you decide on an expertise level, consider including the following points in your job description to attract the best talent:

• Minimum qualifications and experience: A systems engineer should typically have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and at least four years of experience working with complex systems.
• Job duties and responsibilities: Outline the expected tasks and objectives of the role, such as designing systems plans, conducting tests, troubleshooting issues, etc.
• Technical skills: List the technical skills and any tools and languages a candidate must have experience with (e.g., Python and Java).
• Soft skills: Identify and emphasize desirable soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, analytic, and organizational skills.
• Benefits and perks: List the benefits and perks you are willing to offer, such as healthcare and vacation days. This can set you apart from other companies and help attract top talent.
• Company culture: Describe what it will be like to work for your company. More details about your team dynamics and future projects will help prospective candidates decide whether to apply or skip your job listing.

Interview Questions for Systems Engineers

After you sift through resumes and contact the most qualified applicants, interview questions will help you make a final pick. Consider asking the following questions to evaluate your candidate's technical knowledge and soft skills.

How would you go about designing a system for a complex project?

This question can help you gauge candidates' understanding of the system design process, which is essential for their roles. A great answer should demonstrate the candidate's ability to think through the entire process and use their experience to identify challenges and create solutions. They should explain how they'd evaluate project requirements and constraints like time and budget, define the interaction of system components, and develop a comprehensive architecture and design plan.

How can you optimize existing systems for efficiency and cost savings?

This question can assess the candidate's knowledge of optimization and cost-reduction strategies. The answer should demonstrate their ability to analyze existing systems to identify where they can improve and what tools and techniques to use. For example, look for an answer that suggests using automation to replace tedious and costly manual processes.

How do you make updates to workflow systems infrastructure?

Systems engineers should consider security, scalability, and performance when updating workflow systems because these factors affect the system's overall performance. For example, a candidate should say they thoroughly test the system before making any significant changes and use automation tools to save time and money.

Why Hire Systems Engineers With Revelo?

Highly qualified and experienced systems engineers are hard to find in a competitive market, and searching for top talent takes valuable time and resources. Revelo understands this challenge and offers an easy way to find pre-vetted systems engineers in Latin America. Our rigorous vetting process ensures the candidates we connect you with have the skills, experience, and qualifications you need.

Whether you're looking for a junior, mid-level, or senior systems engineer to manage your engineering project, Revelo can help. Contact us today and start building your team today.